Karen Abbott, PhD
University of Georgia
Targeting Tumor-Specific Glycosylation: Discovery of Novel Membrane Receptors
Dr. Abbott’s work is focused on discovering new tumor-specific targets on the surface of cancer cells. Tumor-targeted therapy regimens will have less toxic side effects to normal tissues, and lead to a better quality of life for patients. This project is based on a recent discovery of a unique type of carbohydrate (glycan) found on proteins that cover the surface of ovarian tumor cells and not normal ovarian cells. The membrane receptors that help this glycan stick to the surface of tumor cells will be identified and subsequently used for the development of tumor-targeted therapeutics in the future.